Coming off three straight series against SEC opponents, No. 5 Florida had what seemed like a break Wednesday night.
A rodeo with an in-state opponent, the Stetson Hatters.
However, the Gators didn’t initially take advantage of their first non-Power Four matchup since Feb. 28.
“I think we have to learn from our performance today,” catcher Jocelyn Erickson said. “Yes, we got the job done, but we know we can do so much better.”
Early pitching errors from Katelynn Oxley caused UF to get into a 2-0 hole in the first inning.
Batting troubles continued through the third inning until Erickson tripled to right center. The senior scored soon after, thanks to a flyout from third baseman Kendall Grover. That combined effort tied the score at two apiece.
Ultimately, the Gators (32-2) topped Stetson (19-14) 3-2 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. This marks their 13th straight win against the Hatters, dating back to 2007.
Rightfielder Taylor Shumaker was the top performer for Florida with a team-best .504 batting average and two runs. The sophomore scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Erickson followed close behind with a .467 batting average and one run. On the defensive side, she had five putouts, which was tied for a team best with Madison Walker.
“I was trying to get momentum going for my team, especially when Taylor would get on right before me,” Erickson said.
After Oxley’s struggles, Allison Sparkman came in and was instrumental in UF not allowing another run. The junior pitched three innings and allowed three hits for a 0.00 ERA.
Keagan Rothrock closed out the game in the final inning for the Gators and surrendered one hit.
On the Stetson side, Hayley Arnold pitched the entire game. The sophomore closed out the night with eight hits allowed and a 3.65 ERA.
Annabella McClerren and Irianis Garcia both had one run apiece for the Hatters.
Florida will resume SEC play against No. 9 Arkansas on Friday at 7 p.m. The three-game series will be held at Bogle Field in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Contact Colby Kistner at ckistner@alligator.org. Follow him on X @colbykistner22.
Colby is a junior sports journalism student in his first semester with the Alligator covering golf. He has experience covering Buchholz and Santa Fe High School sports. He also worked in UF's innovation center where he wrote and created radio content for WRUF. He is an avid hockey fan with his teams being the Seattle Kraken and Florida Panthers. He is looking to minor in business administration.
